• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.351-359
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• 1995

In pressure cooling system, produce were packed in vented box and cooled rapidly by producing a difference in air pressure on opposite faces of stacks of vented box. So, energy requirements and performance of pressure cooling system depended upon the air flow rate and the static pressure drop through packed produce in vented box. The static pressure drop across packed produce in vented box normally depended upon air flow rate, vent area of box and conditions of produce bed (depth, porosity, stacking patterns, size and shape of products) in box. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of vent area and air flow rate on airflow resistance of empty box and packed produce in vented box, and to investigate the relationship between the air flow resistance of packed products in vented box and sum of air flow resistance of empty box only and products in bulk only. Mandarins and tomatoes were used in the experiment. The airflow rate were in the range of 0.02~1.0$m^3$/s.$m^2$, the opening ratio of vent hole were in the range of 2.5~20% of the side area. The results were summerized as follows. 1. The pressure drops across vented box increased in proportion to superficial air velocity and decreased in proportion to opening ratio of vent hole. A regression equation to calculate airflow resistance of vented box was derived as a function of superficial air velocity and opening ratio of vent hole. 2. The pressure drops across packed produce in vented box increased in proportion to superficial air velocity and decreased in proportion to opening ratio of vent hole. 3. Because of the air velocity increase in the vicinity of vent hole in box, the airflow resistances of packed products in vented box were always higher than sum of air flow resistance of empty box only and products in bulk only. 4. Based on the airflow resistance of empty box and products in bulk, a regression equation to calculate airflow resistance of packed products in vented box was derived.

• Journal of Biosystems Engineering
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.333-342
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• 1995

The resistance to air flow through fruits and vegetables in bulk was an important consideration in the design of the pressure cooling system. The amount of resistance to air flow through produce in bulk normally depended upon air flow rate, stacking depth, porosity, stacking patterns and shape and site of product. But, there was not enough information relating the effects of those factors on air flow resistance. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effect of stacking depth, stacking patterns, porosity and airflow rate on airflow resistance and to develop a statistical model to predict static pressure drop across the produce bed as a function of air flow rate, stacking depth, bed porosity, and product size. Mandarins and tomatoes were used in the experiment. The airflow rate were in the range of 0.1~1.0 ㎥/s.$m^2$, the porosity were in the range of 0.25~0.45, the depth were in the range of 0.3~0.9m and the equivalent diameters were 5.3cm and 6.3cm for mandarins, and 6.5cm and 8.5cm for tomatoes. Three methods of stacking arrangement were used i.e. cubic, square staggered, and staggered stacking arrangement. The results were summarized as follows. 1. The pressure drops across produce bed increased in proportion to stacking depth and superficial air velocity and decreased in proportion to porosity. 2. The increasing rates of pressure drop according to stacking patterns with the increase of superficial air velocity were different one another. The staggered stacking arrangement produced the highest increasing rate and the cubic stacking arrangement produced the lowest increasing rate. But it could be assumed that the stacking patterns had not influenced greatly on pressure drops if it was of equal porosity. 3. The statistical models to predict the pressure drop across produce bed as a function of superficial air velocity, stacking depth, porosity, and product diameter were developed from these experiments.

• Horticultural Science & Technology
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.375-382
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• 2015

A controlled atmosphere (CA) regimen was optimized during 3 consecutive harvest seasons as the basis of practical modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) storage for quality maintenance and extension of storage potential of fresh Ligularia fischeri leaves. Leaves were harvested in April or May and forced-air cooled to $4^{\circ}C$ before punch-hole MAP (control, where gas concentrations were same as air) and CA treatments. CA regimens adjusted stepwise during 3 experimental years were: 1 and 3% $O_2$, respectively combined with 5 and 10% $CO_2$ in the first year, 3% $O_2$ fixed in combination with 0, 2.5, and 5% $CO_2$ in the second year, and 3% $O_2$ fixed in combination with 2.5 and 5% $CO_2$ in the third year. In the first year, higher incidence of black discoloration was observed with the reduction of respiration under 10% $CO_2$ CA conditions regardless of $O_2$ levels at 1 or 3%. In the second and third year, the incidence of the disorder seemed not to be clearly relevant to CA conditions showing slightly higher incidence only after 4- or 5-week storage + 5-day shelf life. Although texture and appearance quality were maintained better under the 3% $O_2$ + 2.5% $CO_2$condition after 4-week storage + 5-day shelf life, effects of CA on the extension of storage period was slight. Overall results indicated that Ligularia fischeri leaves are very susceptible to $CO_2$ injury. $CO_2$ concentration should be adjusted below 2.5% for safe and effective CA or MAP storage to maintain quality even during short-term storage.